Using the abductive approach to bridge communication gaps

Abstract

This study is based on the findings from a large number of focus groups carried out by The Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists in order to respond to the frustration among members. The focus groups show that their frustration is generated from the fact that the implicit knowledge of occupational therapists has not been sufficiently integrated into the health care system. A more precise communication between occupational therapists and other groups involved was then suggested to improve care. The study is designed in accordance with an abductive approach. It shows that a communication gap arises when persons in the system interpret the interventions of occupational therapists in terms of only one type of identity generating process, while they themselves implicitly consider at least two fundamentally different processes: the process of individualization and the process of individuation. Individuation is a tacit dimension, which has to be communicated and taken into account in the health care system.

Keywords:

• Occupational therapist paradigm
• individualization
• individuation
• rehabilitation
• communication.